Technical Abstract:
A study was conducted to determine the effect of using FreshFx™, a combined citric, hydrochloric and phosphoric acid solution, in a spray cabinet on the numbers of E.coli, coliforms and Salmonella recovered from broiler carcasses. During each of three experimental trials, broiler carcasses were obtained from a commercial processing facility. Untreated control carcasses were removed from the processing line before entering a two-stage cabinet washer. Treated carcasses were removed after being sprayed for 8 sec with FreshFx™ or tap water in the cabinet washer. After treatment carcasses were aseptically removed from the processing line, placed in clean bags and transported in insulated coolers to a pilot plant scale facility for analysis. The bacterial flora of the carcasses was sampled using a 400 ml whole carcass rinse procedure. Rinsates were analyzed for the presence of Salmonella and level of E.coli and total coliforms. After an 8 sec spray treatment, there was a 56% incidence of Salmonella in rinsates from water treated carcasses versus a 47% incidence of Salmonella in rinsates from FreshFx™ treated carcasses. This represented no significant difference between the treatments. However, levels of E.coli and coliform recovered from carcasses sprayed with FreshFx™ was 0.6 log10 cfu/ml lower than those counts recovered from water treated samples. Control carcasses and water treated carcasses did not differ significantly (P<.05) in either E.coli or coliform counts (3.1 vs. 3.0, 2.8 vs. 2.7 log10 cfu/ml respectively). The present study demonstrates that FreshFx™ could be a viable option for reduction of E.coli and coliform counts on broiler carcasses; however, its impact on Salmonella incidence after an 8 sec spray application seems to be minimal.